Anna Hofer

My mother, Anna Hofer, who is also referred to as ‘Anna Basel,’ lived most of her life in a Hutterite colony. Hofer was her name by marriage but in Hutterite culture, surnames are rarely used and ‘Basel’ is a term of respect which literally translated means auntie. Anna was a strong, articulate, dynamic woman who loved life, people, good stories (which she told superbly), and good coffee. She married my father, Joseph Hofer, and together they had twelve children, ten of which were born in our own home.